Learn Internet Marketing From Katy Perry

A pop singer who writes songs about kissing girls, liking it, and being one of the boys, Katy Perry is worlds away from the Internet Marketing arena. In fact, at the ripe old age of 27, Perry’s still years away from a lot of things. Why should we pay attention to someone who graduated from high school with a GED and walks around wearing fruit on her head? Because there’s a lot we can learn about Internet Marketing from Katy Perry.

I know, we’re talking about 2 different types of business here, conducted on two completely different platforms. But business is business. There are people from all walks of life, involved in every business imaginable, who are trying to climb the ladder of success. And when they finally reach the top and look back, all the ladders look the same. The only thing that differs is the platform they’re standing on.

Do what you do best: I’m really kind of tired of hearing people say you need to follow your passion to be a successful Internet marketer. What if you’re passionate about aglets, those little plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces? How many other people share your passion? And how would you monetize something like that.

Honestly, I suggest you do what you do best if you want to be successful. Katy Perry’s parents would probably much prefer she’d continued on to college and become a school teacher. But school isn’t something that Perry excels at. She does, however, excel at singing. And it’s a good thing, too, since that’s how she’s chosen to make her living.

Listen to your audience: I’m sure you’ve heard it said dozens of times that you need to decide what it is you want to say with your blog or website. What message is it that you want to get across to your readers? And you’ve probably also had people tell you that you have to decide on your message and never waver off course. Your convictions must be strong so you readers will look upon you as the go-to person in your niche.

However, let’s stop and think about why you’re working online. You’re here trying to make money. And if you’re preaching one thing but all your readers tell you they’d rather hear something else, you’d be foolish to ignore them completely.

There’s nothing wrong with bending to meet your readers half way. Perry started out singing gospel music and switched to pop when she found out she’d have a larger audience. Did she sell out? Is she being a fraud? Of course not. She’s being a good business person.

Be yourself: Nothing makes me happier than to see a pretty girl walking around with fruit on her head! Seriously, though, even though you’ve got to focus on the needs and the wants of your audience, you still need to stay true to yourself. Don’t try to completely alter your personality so you can pander to a larger crowd. In the end, you’ll just wind up exhausted and headed for the loony bin a la Marilyn Monroe. Who, by the way, also used to wear fruit on her head!

Part of Perry’s attraction, actually part of Perry’s brand, is her quirky costumes and her unique style. Yes, she’s been known to wear a watermelon or two, but she also makes a splash wherever she goes. When people buy tickets to a Katy Perry concert they know exactly what they’re going to see with the mention of her name.

Get a mentor: Katy Perry didn’t achieve over night success. In fact, one of Perry’s first producers recognized her need for polish and hooked her up with a collaborator who could help her learn the ropes, the same producer who had helped Alanis Morissette, one of Perry’s idols. There’s no shame in admitting you need help. In fact, if you do need help and you haven’t done something about getting it, that’s when you should be ashamed.

Be shocking: The biggest Internet Marketing lesson we can learn from Katy Perry is to be shocking, take a dare, step out of your comfort zone and make an impression on the world. Perry’s first hit – ‘I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It‘ – was shocking, to say the least. Here was this gospel singing daughter of 2 preachers talking about kissing girls! Her parents probably had simultaneous heart attacks. But that song made Perry a star. Be controversial and shake up the world a little bit. The Internet can be an extremely boring place. Do something to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

I would have never thought of comparing Katy Perry and marketing Ste’. You make some pretty good points, especially the point about choosing career choices. If your good at writing engaging articles than go down that path.

hehe.. That’s what I like to do: making improbable comparisons to show that we can always learn new things about internet marketing. It’s all about asking yourself the right questions and being open-minded.

Thanks for your comment.

Susan Silver

Katy Perry is an interesting case-study. She was dropped from labels three times before she succeeded.I am not a big fan of her music, but she has the stick with it attitude that we can really admire.